What Trailer Tailgate information Does

Trailer tailgate information is a hydraulic or electric system that helps lower and raise a truck's tailgate smoothly, especially when the tailgate is heavy or when you're loading cargo at an awkward angle. Instead of manually wrestling a tailgate down or straining to pull it back up, the system does most of the work for you. The tailgate descends under controlled power rather than dropping suddenly, and rises back up with a button press or lever pull.

The system is most common on pickup trucks with heavy-duty or commercial tailgates, though some newer consumer trucks include it as an option. It reduces the physical strain of loading and unloading, prevents the tailgate from slamming shut, and can protect your back and hands from pinch injuries. The information mechanism stays hidden in the tailgate frame or mounted to the truck bed, so it does not change how the tailgate looks or functions when you open it normally.

Key Takeaways

  • Trailer tailgate information uses hydraulic or electric power to lower and raise the tailgate slowly instead of letting it drop or requiring you to muscle it up by hand.
  • The system is most useful if you load heavy cargo regularly, have a large or stiff tailgate, or want to prevent the tailgate from slamming and damaging the truck bed.
  • Hydraulic systems are more common on work trucks and commercial vehicles; electric systems are becoming standard on newer consumer pickup trucks.
  • Installation on an older truck requires removing the tailgate and mounting the information cylinders or motor, a job best left to a dealer or specialist shop.
  • Maintenance is minimal for most systems, but hydraulic fluid levels should be checked periodically and electric motors may need lubrication over time.

Hydraulic Versus Electric Tailgate information

Hydraulic systems use two metal cylinders filled with pressurized fluid mounted on either side of the tailgate. When you pull a lever or press a button, fluid flows into the cylinders and pushes the tailgate down at a controlled speed. To raise it, you reverse the flow. Hydraulic systems are durable, work in cold weather, and require no battery power, which is why they remain standard on commercial trucks and trailers.

Electric systems use a motor and gearbox to wind or unwind a cable or drive a linkage. They are quieter, cleaner (no fluid to leak), and integrate easily with modern truck electronics and touchscreen controls. Electric systems do depend on the truck's battery, so a dead battery means no information, though most trucks have enough reserve power that this is rare. Electric systems are becoming the default on new consumer pickup trucks from Ford, Chevrolet, and Ram.

Both types lower the tailgate at roughly the same speed — slow enough to control the descent but fast enough that you are not waiting. The choice between them usually comes down to what your truck came with or what the aftermarket installer recommends for your model.

When Tailgate information Is Worth Installing

If you load and unload your truck bed several times a week, tailgate information saves real time and physical effort. Contractors, landscapers, and delivery drivers notice the difference when ready. Even if you load less frequently, the system prevents the tailgate from slamming shut, which can crack the bed rail welds or damage cargo.

Tailgate information is also valuable if you have a large or stiff tailgate that is hard to lower by hand, or if you are older or have shoulder or back issues that make manual lowering painful. Some truck owners add it straightforward to avoid the habit of letting the tailgate drop — a sudden drop can injure fingers or hands if someone is standing nearby.

If your truck came without information and you rarely load cargo, the cost of aftermarket installation (usually $800 to $2,000 depending on the system and truck model) may not justify the benefit. But if you use your truck bed regularly, the system pays for itself in reduced strain and faster work cycles within a year or two.

How to Install Tailgate information on an Older Truck

Aftermarket tailgate information kits are sold by truck accessory suppliers like Ranch Hand, Lund, and ACI (Automotive Components Industries). The kit includes the cylinders or motor, mounting brackets, hoses or wiring, and a control switch or button. Installation requires removing the tailgate from the truck, drilling or welding mounting points, and routing hoses or wires through the tailgate frame and into the truck bed.

This is not a job for a home garage unless you have welding equipment and experience. Most truck owners take their truck to a dealer or a specialist shop that installs bed accessories. The shop will remove the tailgate, install the information system, test it, and reinstall the tailgate. The whole job usually takes two to four hours, plus the cost of the kit itself.

Before ordering a kit, confirm that one exists for your specific truck model and year. Some older or less common trucks have limited options. Your dealer can tell you what kits are compatible and what the installation cost will be at their shop. Some shops offer installation discounts if you buy the kit from them rather than bringing your own.

Maintenance and Troubleshooting

Hydraulic systems require periodic checks of the fluid level in the reservoir. If the level drops, it usually means a small leak in a hose or cylinder seal. Top up the fluid (use the type specified in your kit manual) and monitor the level over the next few weeks. If it drops again quickly, the system has a leak that needs repair. Do not ignore this — running a hydraulic system low on fluid can damage the pump and cylinders.

Electric systems need less maintenance, but the motor and gearbox should be lubricated occasionally if the truck is used in dusty or wet conditions. Check your truck's manual or the information kit manual for the recommended interval. If the tailgate moves slowly or makes grinding noises, lubrication or a worn motor may be the cause.

If the tailgate will not lower or raise at all, first check that the control switch or button is working and that the truck battery has charge. For hydraulic systems, check the fluid level and the condition of hoses for visible cracks or leaks. For electric systems, listen for a clicking sound when you press the button — if you hear nothing, the motor or wiring may have failed. Either way, a shop that specializes in truck accessories can diagnose and repair the problem.

Cost and Availability

A new truck with factory tailgate information typically costs $500 to $1,500 more than the same model without it, depending on the truck brand and whether information is bundled with other options. If you are buying a used truck, check the window sticker or ask the dealer whether information is included.

Aftermarket kits for older trucks range from $400 to $1,200 for the kit alone, plus $400 to $1,000 in labor at a shop. Budget $800 to $2,000 total for a complete installation. Prices vary by truck model — kits for popular models like Ford F-150 and Chevrolet Silverado are more affordable than kits for less common trucks.

Some truck owners buy used tailgate information systems from salvage yards or online marketplaces, which can lower the kit cost. However, used hydraulic systems may have internal wear, and used electric systems may have battery or motor issues. A used system is a gamble unless you can test it before installation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I install tailgate information myself if I have basic mechanical skills?

If your truck has a bolt-on kit that does not require welding or drilling into the frame, you may be able to install it yourself. However, most kits require welding or precise drilling, and mistakes can weaken the tailgate or cause leaks. Unless you have welding experience and the right tools, a shop installation is safer and faster.

Will tailgate information work if my truck bed is full of heavy cargo?

Yes. The system is designed to lower and raise the tailgate under load. However, if the cargo is so heavy that it is pressing down on the tailgate, the information may move more slowly. Never try to lower the tailgate if cargo is resting on it — remove the cargo first or use the information to lower the tailgate partway, then remove cargo, then lower it fully.

What happens to tailgate information in freezing weather?

Hydraulic systems slow down in extreme cold because the fluid becomes thicker, but they still work. Electric systems are unaffected by cold. If your truck sits outside in winter, expect hydraulic information to move a bit slower on the first use of the day until the fluid warms up.

Can I add tailgate information to a truck that has a tonneau cover or bed cover?

Yes, but the cover must be removable or hinged so that you can open the tailgate. If your cover is permanently sealed to the bed, you cannot use the tailgate at all, so information is irrelevant. Most tonneau covers are designed to work with a functioning tailgate, so there is no conflict.

Does tailgate information add weight to the truck?

Hydraulic systems add 30 to 50 pounds; electric systems add 10 to 20 pounds. This is negligible for most trucks and does not affect towing capacity or payload rating. Check your truck's manual if you are concerned about weight distribution.